The engines are fired up for this Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race, the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. As the first race of the Round of 8 in the NASCAR playoffs, the stakes are high and tensions will be even higher as drivers jockey for position both on the track and in…
Background on NASCAR’s popularity As the most popular auto racing organization in the United States, NASCAR has grown into a global sports entertainment phenomenon over the last 75 years. Thanks to races like the high-profile Daytona 500 and iconic drivers like Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon, NASCAR has attracted millions of followers throughout its history….
Ford RS200 Evolution – The Ultimate Street-Legal Group B Monster In the 1980s, Ford sought to challenge Audi and Peugeot in the brutal Group B era of rally racing. Their weapon was the RS200, a mid-engine turbocharged monster purpose-built for competition. While the regular RS200 was unbelievable enough, Ford created the even more extreme RS200…
Dodge Polara – The Pinnacle of Dodge Luxury and Performance In the 1960s and 1970s, the Dodge Polara stood atop the marque’s lineup bringing full-size luxury, powerful V8 engines, and elegant styling touches setting Dodge apart from more mainstream brands. Introduced to replace Dodge’s Matador in 1960, the Polara served for over a decade as…
Porsche 550 Spyder – The Giant Killer That Launched Porsche’s Racing Legend Among legendary Porsche sports cars, the 550 Spyder holds a special place for establishing Porsche’s racing bonafide in the 1950s. Developed specifically for motorsports, the curvaceous mid-engine Spyder took on giants like Ferrari with agility and tenacity. The 550 Spyder famously garnered Porsche…
Triumph TR4 – The Quintessential British Sports Car The Triumph TR4 represents the British sports car archetype of the 1960s with its simple, rugged mechanicals, easily approachable performance, and understated styling. As the fourth generation of Triumph’s venerable TR series, the Michelotti-styled TR4 encapsulated the essence of no-frills, open-air British motoring. Produced from 1961-1965, the…
Toyota MR2 – Japan’s Beloved Mid-Engine Sports Car The Toyota MR2 is one of Japan’s most revered sports cars. First debuting in 1984, the MR2 captured enthusiasts with its unconventional mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, lightweight, and engaging driving dynamics. Spanning three generations through 2007, the MR2 demonstrated Toyota was serious about building legitimate driver’s cars,…
Audi Quattro – The Rally Icon That Changed the Game with AWD The Audi Quattro holds an iconic place in motorsports history as the rally car that single-handedly popularized all-wheel drive. Debuting in 1980, the Quattro utilized an advanced AWD system coupled with a powerful turbocharged engine to absolutely dominate rally racing through the 1980s….